I’ve started listening to Davis County police scanners, and the clicks, static and over-the-air 10-code make our offices feel more like a newsroom than ever.

Fortunately, the scanners here are much quieter than those in Salt Lake County, or even Ogden. I hear about broken taillights far more often than I hear about suspects on the run or domestic violence, and that’s great news.

We’re lucky to have relatively little crime here. It’s safe to walk on the streets at night almost anywhere in Davis County, and reports of violent crime such as muggings, stranger rape and drive-by shootings are rare.

Part of that is due to the “bedroom community” nature of this place, but much of it is also because of the community ethics and good neighborhoods we have.

Nevertheless, crime does occur. Because of its relative infrequency, it’s particularly shocking when it does. Other problems that are not malicious in nature but that are still tragic and shocking also occur.

Tuesday night, a man was killed on I-15 in Farmington as he attempted to put gas in his car on the side of the road. Few details are available, but police tell us that he died when a woman allegedly swerved into the shoulder and collided with his car.

Hours later, a man allegedly attacked police officers who visited his home after reports came in that he was dragging a woman across the street and abusing her. After the alleged assault on one of Layton’s finest, the suspect was shot in the chest and hospitalized.

We are shocked and saddened by these events and others like them, and our hearts go out to everyone who was involved, from the officers to the victims and even to the alleged perpetrators, who must have been confused and suffering.

I believe that the best way to keep Davis County safe is to continue joining together for events such as the county fair and Bountiful’s Summerfest. We should also get to know our neighbors, and be friendly and cooperative with our local law enforcers and protectors.

I think non-government groups such as churches and charities in this county also help. Not only do they provide support, education and counseling for those who might otherwise turn to violent crime, but they allow us opportunities to learn about our communities and, more importantly, to know better what we can do to be good neighbors.

As the county grows and transforms from a place primarily for housing to one that also offers jobs, shopping and higher education, our crime rates could increase. We stridently hope that this doesn’t occur, but thank our public servants ahead of time in case it does.

On that note, this week is a good time to recognize the community-oriented policing efforts of the Bountiful Police Department. Two beloved officers are departing soon, Lt. Sol Oberg to lead the Kaysville Police and Sgt. Jeff Jolley to lead a police agency in Oregon. We are sad to see them go, but we agree with Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson that when officers from the city are promoted to leadership elsewhere, it’s a sign that we’re doing something right.

Here’s to hoping that even with the changing of the guard, our police scanners stay quiet.